TDI - DWC - Hearings - Admin Law Judge II (Admin L

Do you have a passion for public state service and enjoy making a difference? The Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers Compensation (DWC) administers and operates the Texas workers compensation system. DWC regulates the workers compensation system, settles disputes, provides customer service, promotes workplace safety, and ensures compliance with state laws. DWC has 20 offices across the state of Texas, with the headquarters located in the Capitol Complex, in the Barbara Jordan Building at 1601 Congress Avenue in Austin, near the Texas Capitol.

Benefits

• Flexible work schedules
• Work-life balance
• 96 hours of accrued vacation a year
• 96 hours of accrued sick leave a year
• 20+ holidays every year
• Career advancement opportunities
• Free parking
• 401(k) and 457 Programs
• State of Texas retirement plan with a lifetime annuity through the Employee Retirement System of Texas (ERS)
• Free comprehensive medical insurance for full-time employees and 50% off premium costs for dependents (state pays other 50%)
• Optional benefits like dental, vision, life insurance, and many more
• Qualified employer for the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

About the role

An Administrative Law Judge II (ALJ-II) presides over hearings under the Texas Labor Code and Division Rules and performs advanced (senior-level) administrative hearing work. The work is performed under minimal supervision with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. This position requires up to 25% travel as needed.

Responsibilities

• Conducts hearings involving benefit and medical necessity disputes, including ruling on prehearing matters and motions, swearing in witnesses, receiving testimony, allowing examination and cross-examination of witnesses, accepting documentary evidence, allowing the presentation of evidence by summary measures, ensuring the rights of the parties are preserved, and fully developing the facts required to make the factual determinations necessary to resolve the legal issues in dispute.
• Judges the relevance and materiality of the evidence offered and the weight and credibility to be given to the evidence and resolve all disputed issues based on current legal precedent.
• Writes legally, factually, and grammatically correct decisions that resolve all disputed issues.
• Submits decisions within the 10-day time limit.
• Generates various work products with minimal or no clerical/administrative assistance.
• Completes the required computer data entries in a timely and accurate manner.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited law school with a J.D. degree.
• Two years of experience as a practicing attorney.
• License to practice law in the State of Texas.
• A member in good standing with the State Bar of Texas.
• Regular work attendance.
• Travel may be required for up to 25% of the time. If travel is 10% or over, you must maintain a state of Texas Driver’s License.

The interview will include a writing test.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in the Texas Workers Compensation system and prior experience as an administrative law judge or litigator.

Skills

This position requires demonstrated knowledge of:

• State laws, rules, procedures, and regulations relevant to job requirements.
• High-level understanding of medical terminology and the American Medical Association Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment.
• Motor vehicle operations, traffic rules, and regulations.

This position requires demonstrated skill in:

• Problem solving and critical thinking.
• Using Microsoft Office software applications, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and SharePoint.
• Using personal computers sufficient to enter and extract data from related systems and programs such as Centralized Accounting Payroll and Personnel (CAPPS) and other systems required to perform the job.
• Using software including Adobe products, Microsoft products, and other software required to perform the job.
• Legal research, analysis, and writing, including plain English legal writing.
• Communicating professionally through spoken and written methods.
• Maintaining the confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Working independently and as a team member on various assignments.
• Managing workload and priorities to meet necessary deadlines.
• Operating a motor vehicle in a safe and courteous manner in compliance with traffic laws.

This position requires the demonstrated ability to:

• Communicate and work effectively with a wide range of people with varied skills, knowledge, and backgrounds.
• Maintain the confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Analyze and solve work-related problems and work independently on a variety of administrative work and technical assignments.
• Manage and coordinate multiple tasks and priorities to meet necessary deadlines.
• Work both independently and as a team player.
• Satisfy the requirements to maintain fully qualified driving status.

TDI does not sponsor or assume sponsorship of an employment visa.